Grey Mouth Camp pt2

Timestamp: Odsier Winter Pastures - Grey Mouth camp

Hunter was a bit concerned by the way the holy woman tried to butter up the guide with an apple. He was not sure how it was viewed by the guide, but it did come off as a bit condescending, like she was treating him like a pet. Hunter wondered if the holy woman had ever dealt with any group other than her believers and enemies. If she planned to give the chief an apple as a gesture of goodwill he had very big concerns.

Now granted he did not directly deal with diplomacy in his past job as a killer, but he spent many hours, days, and weeks observing his victim's behaviors and learned a great many things by this before he killed them and made it look like an accident. Then he would record how their others reacted to the death of their leaders. His world was filled with cold logic and death so he could make calm observations. Seeing as he was not in charge he kept quiet as he stayed close behind the guide.

Wolf just stayed back he would let the Arbiter try to make contact. An apple? Wolf thought. well, it's not the tip of her sword. He just studied clothing mannerisms Langue. By the time they would get to the village? camp? whatever they called it he hoped to have an idea of the people they were dealing with. Hunter was close but so Wolf was not too worried that they would be attacked or surprised. Wolf tried to stay near the Arbiter. Wolf had been to the jungle, far deserts, mountains not to mention a few islands. he had not encountered anyone quite like this before Wolf though his writings will be studied for generations.

Wolf had no problems keeping up. with the group and his Gambeson armor kept him warm and dry. He still did not know if it would be any good against the native people. Wolf looked over the guide and saw a small stone knife and that was it. that made him wonder what was in the village.
Winteroak

Taking a break from her roast caribou, which was most welcome on this cold day, she stood tall before them, then spoke in a voice clear and strong so they all could hear.

“People of Grey Mouth. We bring saddles for riding, iron nails for building, assorted metals for crafting, potatoes for eating, and ale for drinking. We seek to trade for (heads? of) cattle and a few horses.” the Arbiter said.

Voah looked to the others for some guidance…

Hunter sighed as Voah came off looking like a merchant selling snake oil. He looked at the others to gauge their response. It was obvious that Voah was struggling to impress her target audience. So he got up and collected a sample of each product and set them up in a circle he drew on the ground. Then he drew a second circle on the ground and drew a horse and caribou or antelope. Then he used hand gestures to convey what Voah said as repeated her words but he was squatting as he did it. He gestured to give the items in the circle to the natives and then he gestured for the natives to give horses and caribou or antelope to Voah. Then he sat down and waited to see what would happen.
Winteroak

Jab and Rash looked at one another wondering what Hunter was doing. The man holding a spear looked on with amusement as Hunter attempted to simplify the trading process. He looked back at the two brothers and spoke quickly. Jab turned to Voah. "'e is ask'n oo's in charge. You or him?" He said pointing to Hunter.

Wim ate smiling at people and making a fuss about how good the meal was. He tried not to drop his food as the move basically left them little room for leveraging the trade they were trying to make. Having a reserve was like having an ace up your sleeve was always a good thing in a game like this. The way they were going about this, they would trade goods and send us away. Then the mission would be a failure. He was hoping this would take a few days and not a few hours. The scholar would not see much, Voah wouldn’t see if these people used magic, and he would not be able to figure out how to use this to his advantage.
Arbiter Voah Sansuur

When Voah looked at the others for help, she was not expecting the scout to be the one to try and communicate and it didn't seem to help and now authority seemed to be in question.

"I am the leader of this trading party." Voah put a hand to her chest. "These men are here to assist... uh... help..." she pointed to the others and brought both hands back to herself, trying to convey her words through non-verbal gestures. "As they have knowledge... experiences and perspectives" she pointed to her head. "That I do not possess." She looked at Jab and Rash for help with the translation. She pointed to the soldiers, "They are my mouth." She pointed to Hunter, "My eyes and ears." Then to Wim and Blackwolf, "My mind."

Blackwolf hearing his name stepped forward just a little so the Greymouth would know who he was. Wolf did not like the term she used it could be taken she did not have a strong mind. He was counsel to her. Most of the tribs he has met that word worked. Wolf was not sure how to correct her without weakening the Arbiter position. Wolf placed his hand in his chest "I am Blackwolf counsel to our Arbiter." Wolf spoke with respect but not too slow. Making sure the worrier did not feel like Wolf was talking to him like a child. but emphasized the word counsel hoping that the Arbiter got the hint.
Winteroak

The man with the spear nodded at Voah. "Tonight we eat, drink. Tomorrow we trade." He said hesitantly trying to find the right words and after speaking directly not Jab and Rash before moving away.

"'e said dun wander off. Afti meal we take dat tent over. Parley more in th' morrow." Rash told the group.
"Maybe we should crack one er de casks opun" Jab suggested as he tucked into his roasted meat.

Hunter sighed in relief that this encounter ended peacefully. He was worried the holy woman would piss off the natives right away. However, he was not to happy help her out since it came off as him challenging her despite her asking for support. So he decided to remain quiet the rest of the night. Other than eating he didn’t plan on mingling with anyone. He was just going to observe everyone and see what they would do.

Blackwolf walked up to Voah "Sorry if you feel I spoke out of turn Arbiter. You should never say we are any part of you. it could look like weakness. But you can say things like a worrier, or your council or wise men, healer, and scout, worrier even hunter for are scout. think like that. here" Wolf hands her two knives "they are easily made throwing or even simple knives." said Wolf.

Knifes

He looked around then back at Voah. "I do have six of these. thinking on this. An Apple is not a gift per say. A basket of apples would be. Don't think individuals think whole tribe and you should be ok. That's all of the advice I have for you right now." Wolf smiled " I have to see if I can get people to talk and show things to me. They will like things that help the tribe most remember that." May your God be with you."

“Thank you, Blackwolf, though your advice could have come a bit sooner,” she said in a stern whisper. “Are these knives meant for the tribe then?”

Wolf gave her a nod "I can have more made why have fancy throwing knives if you might not get them back." he said with a smile.

After her conversation with Blackwolf, Voah marched over to where Hunter sat and sat directly in front of him staring at him uncomfortably until he met her eyes.

“I’m beginning to suspect you don’t like me very much, Scout.” She deliberately failed to use his name.

“You seem like the type that doesn’t care much for the formalities of society and that’s fine… Now I don’t know how life has shat on you, as it does… But you could do with showing a bit of respect. At least to the extent that I have thus far shown you. Yes, I have heard your annoyed sighs and if you think that by not speaking your feelings aloud is being more respectful then your mistaken. From now on, if you have something to say, say it to me directly or keep your sighs.”

Hunter slowly ate his food as the holy woman stared him down and gave him an attitude. He showed no concern for her words or intimidation as he swallowed his food and cleared his throat. He then replied and gave a bow, “My apologies Lady Arbiter. I was out of line. You need not worry about the lowly likes of one such as myself. I was simply relieved that you were able to resolve this mission peacefully. If I am seen as a thorn in your side I will simply remain out of sight for the remainder of the mission. I will do my job, unless I am replaced or die.”

"You know that's not what I'm asking of you and if you have some underlying issues, you need to damn well figure them out or come to myself, the Acolyte, or the church for spiritual guidance. The door is always open."

Hunter was annoyed as the holy woman would not let it go. He knew she was the type who would solve all her problems with religion and her looks. She was no different from the greedy nobles, clergy and merchants who used charm and politics to justify their horrible deeds. Be it religion or politics, it was just a sick game of cat and mouse and when the cat was bored then the mouse was dead. Hunter was not the mouse or the cat in this game, since he was the claws of the cat. Then he spoke up with a dry cold tone, “when I apologized I was referring to the misunderstanding you have about me. I do not have any I’ll feelings to you or anyone else here. You are under the impression I am like you all.”

Then Hunter took a swig of water from his skin and swallowed it before he continued to speak, but this time he showed his cold vacant eyes and his empty smile, “When I was found and raised, I was not given a family, a culture or even a name since I was just a tool. I was given an education, training and a job. I was not permitted to experience feelings, friendship, love or self awareness since it was deemed a sign of weakness. To be honest I wanted to avoid you so I could live a simple life, but your type won’t leave any stone unturned so here we are.” Hunter then paused for a moment to see the holy woman’s response.

What does one say to that? It always surprised her when she actually got a quiet person to speak up, though she was usually good at hiding it. She was not a cold woman, just resolute, so the hunter's words hit her with pangs of guilt. Although she hadn't had what you might call an easy life, for she was raised on the road and then under strict teaching in the church, she earned her place in life through hard diligence and pain, in all of its forms, but at least she was afforded a family, a culture... a name. She knew the man was being honest but was unsure to what extent he meant what he said but her mind went to a very dark place.

She knew what it was to be a tool as well, that much she could relate to, everyone served in their own way, but where she took pride in her use as a tool of the church, Hunter seemed to despise his place and usefulness, not only in his past but his present. He carried the burden with him. From the sound of things, he was little more than a slave, not a servant... and that was not something she would abide had she known or had any authority to act on it.

She didn't turn away but her gaze faltered as she sheepishly adjusted her eyes for a moment, swallowing hard before she spoke. What could she say that wouldn't come of as callous or authoritative. Apologizing for his past would mean nothing.

"...I..." she began. "You are not a thorn in my side."